Many different factors go into calculating car insurance rates including where you live, how old you are, and your gender. One consistent factor when it comes to auto insurance is young male drivers pay higher insurance premiums than most other drivers, no matter where they live. The good news is that their rates will decrease as they get older, but many young drivers and their parents wonder at what ages does car insurance go down for males? Take a look at what you can expect.
Why Do Young Males Pay Higher Car Insurance Rates?
Teen drivers, especially young male teens, tend to have riskier behavior. This behavior makes them more likely to get into car accidents. According to the Center of Disease Control, drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are almost three times as likely as 20-year-olds or older to be involved in a fatal crash.
Some of the common risks associated with teen drivers include:
- Inexperience. Teenagers are less likely to recognize or underestimate dangerous conditions on the road.
- Distracted driving. Teen drivers are more likely to text while driving.
- Nighttime and weekend driving. Teens are more likely to be on the road at night and on the weekends. A good portion of accidents with teen drivers take place during these times.
- Alcohol use. Drinking and driving is a common factor in fatal accidents involving teens.
- Speeding. Teen drivers are more likely to drive over the speed limit, which results in crashes.
- Not using seat belts. Teen drivers have the lowest percentage of seat belt usage among drivers.
All of these factors make young drivers a higher risk for insurance companies, so providers increase their premium rates.
How Much More Do Young Males Pay for Insurance?
Young males can expect to pay up to 14% more for their auto insurance. But the amount will depend on where they live, how old they are, and their provider. While both male and female teenage drivers have similar risky behavior behind the wheel, data shows that males are riskier than females. They also spend more time driving than female drivers and statistically get into more accidents than female drivers. There is no specific percent.
In some states, it is illegal for insurance companies to consider gender when calculating premiums. These states are:
- California
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
At What Age Does Car Insurance Go Down for Males?
Car insurance rates start to go down for male drivers by the time they turn 21. At this age, it decreases by an average of 30%. After turning 21, male drivers can expect their insurance rates to decrease by about $50 to $100 a year for several years.
Male drivers can expect another significant decrease in insurance rates when they turn 25. In some cases, drivers can see up to an 11% decrease. The amount of the decrease, even among the largest insurance companies such as Geico, USAA, State Farm, and Progressive, varies significantly.
What Other Factors Affect Car Insurance Rates?
While many male drivers will see a decrease in their insurance premiums as they get older, it is not always the case. Many other factors affect insurance rates. If you don’t see your rates go down, it may be because of your:
- Driving history. If you’ve been in an accident, received speeding tickets, or tickets for other traffic violations, insurers will consider you a higher risk and charge higher premiums.
- Experience. If you wait to get your license until you’re in your 20s or older, you are still considered a new driver. New drivers, no matter how old they are, are a higher risk.
- Credit history. If you have a low credit score in states where considering credit history is legal, you’ll pay higher rates.
- Address. Where you live can have a significant impact on your car insurance premiums. If you live in a safe neighborhood with your parents and then move to an area with higher rates of vandalism and theft when you get out on your own, your premiums may stay high even after you are in your 20s.
Strategies For Making Car Insurance Go Down For Males
As young male drivers get older, they will most likely have to come off their parent’s policies and get their own. Here are some strategies to help keep auto insurance premiums as low as possible:
- Shop around for the best rates. Auto insurance companies have significantly different rates. Some charge higher amounts for young drivers, and others will offer lower rates for a good driving history.
- Only purchase the necessary coverage. The type of vehicle you drive will affect your rates, whether you’re male, female, young, or older. A shiny new performance sedan will cost more to insure, but if you have an older car, you might be able to eliminate collision and comprehensive coverage.
Insurance companies also offer discounts to help young drivers save on their premiums. While shopping around, ask for discounts. Some that you might find include:
- Professional or academic organizations. Good student discounts go away once you’re not in school anymore, but you might qualify for a discount through a trade or professional organization.
- Accident-free driving record. Good driver discounts can have a significant impact on premium rates. Most insurers apply this automatically, but it doesn’t hurt to ask to make sure you’re getting the best rate possible.
- Low mileage. If you keep your annual miles behind the wheel under 7,500, you might be able to lower your premiums.
- Telematics. If you know you have a good driving record and will keep it that way, think about signing up for a telematics program. You can either use your phone to track your driving habits or install a device in your vehicle. You can get rewarded with discounts.
Young drivers can expect to pay more for their car insurance because of their inexperience and tendencies towards risky behavior. Car insurance will go down for males after they turn 21 and, in many cases, will go down again when they turn 25. Taking advantage of available discounts can help reduce premiums no matter how older a driver is.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
